UPDATE: Possible link between 32-year-old’s death and Coalisland man’s shooting

Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O'Neill speaks to the media at the scene on the Moor Road, Coalisland, where a man's body was discovered

Annamay McNally & Shauna Corr

Published:17:53Friday 16 October 2015

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Police are investigating a possible link between the death of a 32-year-old man in Coalisland with a shooting in the area earlier in the week.

A man from the Clonabay area of Coalisland was shot in leg sometime between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, while a second man was found dead on Thursday at a garage on the Moor Road.

A police spokesperson said: “A possible link between the two incidents is a line of enquiry.

“We are awaiting the results of the post mortem and are not in a position to comment further on the circumstances or elaborate on the investigation at this time.”

Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O’Neill has appealed for members of the public to work with police as they continue their investigation, while the SDLP’s Patsy McGlone said there was a “real sense of worry” in the community following the incident.

The murder victim is thought to be from Eastern Europe.

It is understood the first victim, thought to be in his late 30s, left his home in the Clonabay area on Wednesday at around 3pm.

Police were informed he had sustained a gunshot wound to his leg on Wednesday morning.

Detective Inspector Will Tate said: “At around 8.30am on Wednesday 14 October we received a report from Coalisland that a man had been assaulted and shot in the leg.

“This man had reportedly left his home in the Clonabay area at around 3pm the previous day, returning to the address on Wednesday morning having sustained non-life threatening injuries, including the gunshot wound.

“The exact circumstances of the incident are unclear at present.”

While Detective Chief Inspector Lee McNevison, who is leading the murder enquiry, said: “If anyone saw anything unusual in the Moor Road area in recent days, we would like them to contact detectives in Dungannon by calling the non-emergency number 101.

“Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”